1st Sunday of Lent
SUNDAY SCRIPTURE – QUESTIONS TO PONDER
~Like Adam and Eve, what lies do you believe about God that tempt you to doubt his goodness?
~ When are you most tempted?
~ How has Scripture helped you in the face of temptation?
(Pastoral Liturgy)
READINGS FOR THE WEEKEND: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022623.cfm
LIVE-STREAMING: Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE for live stream at 8:30 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 pm on Saturdays.
PARISH WEBSITE: Visit: www.saintpolycarp.org/.
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN: CLICK HERE . BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Bulletin Overflow – CLICK HERE
THIS WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 25/26 (& Monday, February 27th – Friday, March 3rd)
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Tomorrow, February 25th at the 4 pm Mass – Penny Gugliuzzo. Please arrive 15 minutes before Mass starts to pick up (or drop off) materials in the sacristy.
RSVP BY FEBRUARY 25TH – You are invited to a Parish Baby Shower: Sponsored by Brother Vincent Columbiettes on March 5th from 12-2 pm at St. Polycarp Mother Drexel Hall. Supporting the Wilmington Pregnancy Center and the families the center serves. Please bring your gift unwrapped. RSVP to Linda Montouri at 302-270-5347 or lindamontouri@yahoo.com by February 25th.
PSR GRADE P/K AND GRADE 1, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES attend 10:30 am Mass, this Sunday, February 26th.
PSR – ALL GRADES – IN Person classes this week.
CRS RICE BOWLS will be available this weekend at the doors of the Church. Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Through the CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Rice Bowl program, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all. For more information, visit https://www.crsricebowl.org/. Return your Rice Bowl to the Church at the end of Lent. Thank you for considering the needs of your neighbors!
THE DIALOG: Newspaper of the Diocese. Pick-up the newest edition as you leave Church today.
Many thanks to all who helped with the Shrove Pancake Dinner. Without the participation of our Brother Knights and the help of our volunteers, events like the Shrove Pancake dinner cannot happen. There was a great turn out, with delicious pancakes, sausages, and Edible Temptations (desserts).
PSR WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE : The PSR Candy Sale was a success!!! Thank you so much to those who supported us! If you haven’t picked up your chocolate yet, we ate it! Just kidding! Bars may be picked up at the Parish Office between 9 am and 3 pm, Mondays to Fridays; or contact Erica Taylor, CRE at (302) 653-8279 or dre@saintpolycarp.org ; or at your child’s next in-person PSR class.
REMINDER: Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. ~USCCB
STATIONS OF THE CROSS & BENEDICTION: Fridays in Lent at 7pm.
VESTMENTS MAINTENANCE COORDIANTOR:
Are you looking for a way to help the Parish? Do you have a few hours to spare on a limited basis? Well, we have just the opportunity for you! The vestments worn by Father Jim and Deacon Frank are routinely dry cleaned and we need a volunteer to help facilitate this vital duty. If interested, please call Kathy Curlett at 302 222 9326 for more information.
THE PARISH OFFICE is in need of volunteers to help out at the front desk. Various times and dates available. Let us know what is convenient for you! Please consider helping in this important role. If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Kathy Watts at the church office 302-653-8279 or via email office@saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: Check out our “Bulletin Overflow” to learn about various Lenten activities around the Diocese. CLICK HERE TO VIEW BULLETIN OVERFLOW
NEXT WEEKEND, MARCH 4/5 (& Monday, March 6th – Friday, March 10th)
COOKIES! Our Girl Scout Troop will be selling Girl Scout Cookies at the doors of the Church next weekend after Masses.
AGAPE RESCHEDULED: The March Agape scheduled for Sunday, March 5th, has been rescheduled. This Agape, hosted by the Liturgy Committee, has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 19th to coincide with the Blessing of the two St. Joseph Statues. The inside statue of St. Joseph will replace the statue on the St. Joseph’s side in the Sanctuary. The outside statue of St. Joseph will be placed next to the Parish Hall on the South Street side of the building. Please join us for the blessings and Agape.
The SECOND COLLECTION next weekend, March 4th and 5th, is for Catholic Relief Services and Church in Latin America. This collection allows the Church to help our neighbors around the world. Please be as generous as your means allow. THANK YOU!
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) will take place on Sunday, March 5th during the 10:30 am Mass. All children ages PK – 4th grade are welcome to join us. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. They will return to you after the General Intercessions.
UPCOMING/ONGOING
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER: The Knights of Columbus will again be sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Dinner on Saturday March 18th after the 4:00 pm Mass. More information will follow with flyers on the bulletin boards and in Sunday bulletins. We again look forward to seeing you at this event.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: The Parish & Family Life would love to have your participation by representing our Parish by either walking with our Banner or helping/making a Parade Float. Please contact Chairperson Deanna Lail at dlail14@comcast.net or (302) 535 – 2957. The Parade is March 12th, 2023. Line-up at St. Polycarp. Parade begins at 2:00 pm
SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! Time to think about ordering your MEMORIAL BRICK! After the cold dark days of winter, the spring season brings new life; everything comes alive. Adding your MEMORIAL BRICK to the walkway of our Blessed Mother is a unique way to keep your memories alive. It is a way to remind us of all those special loved ones or occasions forever. If you would like to become a part of the walkway to our Blessed Mother, with your name or the name of a loved one, now is a good time to do so! There are several ways to order your bricks. You can order through Faith Direct at: Faith Direct MEMORIAL BRICK (you do not need to sign up for Faith Direct), use the QR code below or return your form* with payment of $80 to St. Polycarp Church. Envelopes marked with “Memorial Brick” may be placed in the Offertory collection, delivered to the Parish Office (place in black box), or mailed to the Parish Office.*Forms can be found on our parish website or at the entrances into the church.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Tuesdays from noon to 8pm in the Chapel. We need a few more people to sign up for a scheduled Adoration time slot so we can expand our Adoration hours. Please consider this devotion. You can come to the adoration chapel and in the peacefulness there He will speak to your heart, and you will return eagerly because He has so much to share with you. There are hours available on Tuesday, Call or Email Cheryl Thomas; salcrest7@gmail.com, 659-3388
FINANCE COUNCIL: The Finance Council is looking to increase its membership. If you would like to be a part of the Finance Council, please reach out to John Fcasni at (609) 529-1986 or john.fcasni@gmail.com.
CHANGE THE WORLD: BECOME CATHOLIC! Is there someone you would like to invite to explore the Catholic faith – someone unbaptized, or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition? Do you know someone who needs Confirmation and/or First Eucharist? Perhaps, the Catholic faith can fulfill their desires for a closer relationship with Our Lord. Then, the RCIA process is for them. Please contact Deacon Frank Weber for more information. DeaconFrank@saintpolycarp.org or leave a message with the Parish office at (302) 653-8279.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) takes place on the first and third Sundays of the month during the 10:30 am Mass. All children ages PK – 4th grade are welcome to join us. Children will be called to come forward before the First Reading. They will return to you after the General Intercessions. All catechists and assistants have a cleared background check. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Erica Taylor at (302) 653-4101. Next CLOW – Sunday, March 5th at the 10:30 am Mass.
THE VOCATION CHALICE MINISTRY: Please consider signing up to host the vocation chalice in your home for a week. Text or call Alice Gaston at (302) 670 – 7924. For more information visit https://saintpolycarp.org/vocation-chalice/ February 25th at the 4 pm Mass – Penny Gugliuzzo; March 12th at the 10:30 am Mass – Neda Biggs; March 26th at the 10:30 am Mass – Laura Pajerowski, April 16th at the 10:30 am Mass – Pete Sanphy
CONNECTED IN CHRIST (ADULT FAITH FORMATION) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the Parish Library – ALL are welcome. Please join us. If you have any questions, please call Cookie Ruane at 302-540-6429.
GLUTEN FREE? Do you have an intolerance to gluten? If so, our parish offers gluten-free wafers to be consecrated for you. Please see our Sacristan 10 – 15 minutes before Mass and let them know that you need a gluten-free wafer put in the pyx. At Communion, please proceed down the aisle to the priest who will have the pyx in his hand and let him know you need a gluten-free host.
IS THAT YOU, FR. JIM? If you receive emails or texts from Fr. Jim asking for favors, gift cards or gifts or stating something similar to “I am currently busy in a meeting now, no calls so just reply to my email.”, please ignore and delete. If an email looks suspicious and you’re not sure, give the office a call.
FORMED: Have you had the opportunity to dive into FORMED? To sign up visit www.formed.org. Type in our Parish zip code (19977) and follow the steps to sign up or you can use the QR code below. Take advantage of your free subscription to FORMED! Enjoy thousands of hours of quality Catholic content!
REDNER’S MARKETS 1% SAVE-A-TAPE FUNDRAISER: Turn your food shopping into cash for our parish. Simply be sure to obtain and scan your Redner’s Rewards Card each time you shop. Save your whole receipt. Bring your receipts to the Parish Office or put them into the collection basket. There is no expiration date – you can turn in receipts months old!
BULLETIN SPONSORS: Thank you to all of our weekly bulletin sponsors for your support during the year! Your support has not gone unnoticed by our parish community and is so appreciated!
USEFUL LINKS:
WEBSITE: www.saintpolycarp.org.
BULLETIN: https://www.jppc.net/onlinebulletins/301template.pdf
BULLETIN OVERFLOW: https://saintpolycarp.org/this-weeks-bulletin/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/StPolycarpSmyrnaDE
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPolycarpCatholicChurch/
ONLINE GIVING: Please consider becoming an e-giver. It is easy to make your weekly or one time contributions in support of the Parish. For more information and to sign up for online giving, visit faith.direct/DE831
ST DENNIS: http://www.stdennischurch.org
DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON – LIVE STREAMING https://www.youtube.com/user/DioceseofWilm
FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHILDREN: https://www.cdow.org/giving/fsgc/
THE DIALOG: http://thedialog.org/ Newspaper of the Diocese, copies available as you leave Church or online
EWTN: ewtn.com
FROM THE DIOCESE:
CATHOLIC FORUM/RELEVANT RADIO: Saturdays at 1:30 pm on Relevant Radio 640AM. On Saturday, February 25h, Learn about the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia CLICK HERE You can listen online at cdow.org/CatholicForum, or by searching “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Amazon Music podcasts. “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at facebook.com/CatholicForum @CatholicForum.
LET US PRAY:
Lord,
May your light guide my day and your Spirit bring me peace.
Amen